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Abstract:

Described herein are various techniques for transferring command codes
between multiple remote controls. A first controlled device receives a
signal from a remote control associated with a second controlled device.
The signal is associated with a command for the second controlled device.
The first controlled device receives user input, assigning the command to
a selected button of a second remote control. The first controlled device
transmits a message to the second remote control. The message includes
information utilized by the second remote control to reproduce the signal
responsive to actuation of the selected button, allowing the second
remote control to generate the command for the second controlled device.

Claims:

1. A method for learning commands from a remote control, the method
comprising: receiving a signal from a first remote control at a first
controlled device, the signal being associated with a command for a
second controlled device; receiving user input, at the first controlled
device, the user input assigning the command to a selected button of a
second remote control; and transmitting a message from the first
controlled device to the second remote control, the message including
information utilized by the second remote control to reproduce the signal
responsive to actuation of the selected button to generate the command
for the second controlled device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the signal further comprises:
receiving the signal from the first remote control through an infrared
receiver of the first controlled device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the signal and transmitting
the message further comprises: receiving the signal from the first remote
control through a radio frequency transceiver of the first controlled
device; and transmitting the message to the second remote control through
the radio frequency receiver.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein receiving the signal from the first
remote control through a radio frequency transceiver of the first
controlled device and transmitting the message to the second remote
control through the radio frequency receiver further comprises:
identifying a protocol associated with the signal; determining whether
the second remote control is configured to transmit commands encoded in
the protocol; and transmitting the message to the second remote control
responsive to determining that the second remote control is configured to
transmit commands encoded in the protocol.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving user input
identifying the second controlled device; and transmitting a second
message from the first controlled device to an external server, the
second message identifying the second controlled device, the signal and
the selected button of the second remote control.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving second user input
from a third remote control associated with the first controlled device;
and transmitting a second message from the first controlled device to the
third remote control, the second message including information utilized
by the third remote control to reproduce the signal responsive to
actuation of the selected button to generate the command for the second
controlled device.

7. An apparatus comprising: a communication interface that receives a
signal from a first remote control, the signal being associated with a
command for another controlled device; and control logic communicatively
coupled to the communication interface operable to receive user input
assigning the command to a selected button of a second remote control;
the communication interface further operable to transmit a message to the
second remote control, the message including information utilized by the
second remote control to reproduce the signal responsive to actuation of
the selected button to generate the command for the controlled device.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the communication interface
comprises an infrared receiver that receives the signal from the first
remote control.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the communication interface
comprises a radio frequency transceiver to transmit the message to the
second remote control.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the communication interface
comprises a radio frequency receiver to receive the signal from the first
remote control.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the control logic is operable to:
identify a protocol associated with the signal; determine whether the
second remote control is configured to transmit commands encoded in the
protocol; and initiate transmission of the message to the second remote
control through the radio frequency receiver responsive to determining
that the second remote control is configured to transmit commands encoded
in the protocol.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control logic is operable to
receive user input identifying the controlled device; and wherein the
apparatus further comprises a network interface operable to transmit a
second message to an external server, the second message identifying the
controlled device, the signal and the selected button of the second
remote control.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control logic is operable to:
receive second user input from a third remote control; and initiate
transmission of a second message to the third remote control through the
communication interface, the message including information utilized by
the third remote control to reproduce the signal responsive to actuation
of the selected button to generate the command for the controlled device.

14. An entertainment device comprising: an infrared receiver that
receives a signal from a first remote control associated with another
controlled device, the signal being associated with a first command for
the controlled device; a wireless transceiver operable to receive second
commands from a second remote control and third commands from a third
remote control; a first input interface that receives a first input
stream; a second input interface that receives a second input stream; a
first output interface communicatively coupled to the first input
interface and the wireless transceiver that outputs the first input
stream to a first presentation device based on the second commands; a
second output interface communicatively coupled to the second input
interface and the wireless receiver that outputs the second input stream
to a second presentation device based on the third commands; control
logic communicatively couple to the infrared receiver, the wireless
receiver, the first and second input interfaces and the first and second
output interfaces, the control logic operable to: receive user input
assigning the command to a selected button of the second remote control;
and transmit a message to the second remote control via the wireless
transceiver, the message including information utilized by the second
remote control to reproduce the signal responsive to actuation of the
selected button to generate the command for the controlled device.

15. The entertainment device of claim 14, wherein the controlled device
comprises the first presentation device.

16. The entertainment device of claim 14, wherein the control logic
receives the user input from the second remote control via the wireless
transceiver.

17. The entertainment device of claim 14, wherein the control logic
outputs a selection menu, for presentation by the second presentation
device, the selection menu prompting a user to identify the controlled
device and wherein the entertainment device stores the identification of
the controlled device in association with the signal and the
identification of the selected button.

18. The entertainment device of claim 17, further comprising: a network
interface operable to transmit the identification of the controlled
device, the signal and the identification of the selected button to an
external server.

19. The entertainment device of claim 17, wherein control logic is
operable to: receive second user input from the third remote control; and
initiate transmission of a second message to the third remote control via
the wireless transceiver, the second message including information
utilized by the third remote control to reproduce the signal responsive
to actuation of the selected button to generate the command for the
controlled device.

20. The entertainment device of claim 17, wherein the control logic is
operable to transmit a second message to the third remote control via the
wireless transceiver, the second message including information utilized
by the third remote control to reproduce the signal responsive to
actuation of the selected button to generate the command for the
controlled device.

Description:

[0002] Television receivers, such as cable or satellite set-top boxes,
often include a universal remote control capable of controlling other
devices, such as televisions, audio receivers and DVD players. Typically,
the universal remote control will include a memory storing remote control
command sets for various common devices, such as popular models of
televisions, VCRs and the like. However, there are typically command sets
for some devices which are not stored in the memory of the universal
remote control, often because the device is not popular enough to warrant
inclusion in the database or because the remote control manufacturer is
not aware of the device. Thus, many remote controls include a learning
function, allowing the remote control to "learn" commands from other
remote controls. The inclusion of the learning functionality within the
remote control contributes to an increased cost and size of the remote
control. Additionally, for devices that include multiple remote controls,
such as multiple room television receivers, the learning functionality is
included within each remote control, causing the consumer to purchase
duplicative equipment at an increased cost for the television receiver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The same number represents the same element or same type of element
in all drawings.

[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an entertainment system.

[0005]FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a first remote control of FIG.
1.

[0006]FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an entertainment device of FIG.
1.

[0007]FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of an entertainment device of
FIG. 1.

[0008]FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a process for learning commands
from a remote control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The various embodiments described herein generally provide
apparatus, systems and methods for learning remote control commands from
a remote control for use by another remote control. A first controlled
device, such as a television receiver, receives a signal from a remote
control associated with a second controlled device, such as a television.
The signal is associated with a command for the second controlled device.
The first controlled device receives user input, assigning the command to
a selected button of a second remote control or other input device of the
second remote control. The first controlled device then transmits a
message to the second remote control. The message includes information
utilized by the second remote control to reproduce the signal responsive
to actuation of the selected button, allowing the second remote control
to generate the command for the second controlled device. In short, the
various embodiments described herein allow a controlled device to learn
commands from a remote control associated with another device and
transmit the commands to a second remote control for utilization by that
remote control in controlling the other device.

[0010] The controlled device is described herein as an entertainment
device. More specifically, the controlled device may be described herein
as a television receiver, e.g., a cable television receiver or a
satellite television receiver. However, it is to be appreciated that the
teachings described herein may be applied to other combinations of remote
controls and controlled devices. For example, the teachings described
herein may be applied to household appliances, computers and wireless
peripherals (e.g., keyboards, mice and pointing devices), automobile
keyless entry systems, home security systems, child locator systems,
digital video recorders (DVRs), DVD players, video servers, audio
receivers, audio playback systems and the like.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an entertainment system 100.
The entertainment system 100 is operable for presenting content to a user
110. The entertainment system 100 includes an entertainment device 102, a
presentation device 104, a first remote control 106 and a second remote
control 108. Each of these components is discussed in greater detail
below. The entertainment system 100 may include other elements,
components or devices not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

[0012] The entertainment device 102 is operable to receive content from
one or more content sources (not shown in FIG. 1), and to present the
received content to the user 110 on the associated presentation device
104. In at least one embodiment, the presentation device 104 is a display
device (e.g., a television) configured to display content to the user
110. The entertainment device 102 may receive an audio/video stream in
any format (e.g., analog or digital format), and output the audio/video
stream for presentation by the presentation device 104. The entertainment
device 102 may be further configured to display menus and other
information that allow a user 110 to control the output of content by the
entertainment device 102.

[0013] The presentation device 104 may comprise any type of device
operable to present content to the user 110. In one embodiment, the
presentation device 104 comprises a display device, such as a television,
display monitor and the like. In other embodiments, the presentation
device 104 comprises an audio playback device, such as an audio receiver,
stereo system and the like. The entertainment device 102 and the
presentation device 104 may be communicatively coupled using any type of
wired or wireless connection, including coaxial cable, component or
composite video cables, High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
cabling, WiFi, Ethernet and the like.

[0014] The first remote control 106 may be any system or apparatus
configured to remotely control the output of content by the entertainment
device 102. The first remote control 106 receives input from the user 110
and responsively generates commands regarding the operation of the
entertainment device 102. For example, the remote control 106 may
communicate commands to the entertainment device 102 requesting to
playback content, temporally move through content (e.g., fast-forward or
reverse), adjust the volume, access electronic programming guides, menus
and the like. In at least one embodiment, the first remote control 106
may output infrared (IR) key codes to remotely command the entertainment
device 102. In other embodiments, the first remote control 106 may issue
commands to the entertainment device 102 via an RF communication
protocol.

[0015] The first remote control 106 is operable to bidirectionally
communicate with the entertainment device 102, allowing the first remote
control 106 to exchange data with the entertainment device 102. For
example, the first remote control 106 may download firmware updates,
updated command sets for other devices and the like from the
entertainment device 102. The first remote control 106 may communicate
with the entertainment device 102 using any type of wireless interface,
such as IR communication links or radio frequency (RF) communication
links.

[0016] The first remote control 106 is further configured as a "universal"
remote control, operable to remotely control other devices, such as the
presentation device 104. In at least one embodiment, the first remote
control 106 stores command sets in memory for various devices, such as
televisions, DVD players, VCRs and the like. Such command sets may be
stored in a read only memory (ROM) or may be stored in an updateable
storage medium, such as a flash memory. In at least one embodiment, the
first remote control 106 may include an updateable storage medium, such
as flash, to store command sets for devices configured to operate with
the first remote control 106. For example, the entertainment device 102
may transfer selected command sets to the first remote control 106
responsive to configuration of the first remote control 106 to remotely
operate a particular device.

[0017] The second remote control 108 is configured to remotely operate the
presentation device 104. The second remote control 108 receives input
from the user 110 and responsively generates commands for the
presentation device 104. For example, the second remote control 108 may
output IR key codes compatible with the presentation device 104,
controlling various functions, such as powering on/off the presentation
device 104, changing the volume, changing the channel and the like. In at
least one embodiment, the second remote control 108 and the presentation
device 104 may communicate using RF communication links and protocols,
such as Bluetooth, WiFi and the like.

[0018] In at least one scenario, the first remote control 106 is not
initially configured to remotely operate the presentation device 104. In
other words, the first remote control 106 may not initially store a
command set compatible with the presentation device 104. However, the
command set for the presentation device 104 may be "learned" by the
entertainment device 102 and transmitted to the first remote control 106
for utilization in controlling the second presentation device 104.

[0019] In at least one embodiment, the user 110 may provide input to the
entertainment device 102, requesting to enter a learning mode of the
entertainment device 102. Such input may be provided for example, from
the first remote control 106. The user 110 further utilizes the second
remote control 108 to output a signal operable to control the
presentation device 104. The signal is associated with a command for the
presentation device 104, e.g., a channel change command.

[0020] The entertainment device 102 receives the signal from the second
remote control 108 via a signal receiver, such as an IR receiver or an RF
receiver. The entertainment device 102 further receives input assigning
the command corresponding with the signal to a particular button of the
first remote control 106. In other embodiments, the command may be
assigned to a trackball, joystick, capacitive or resistive sensing
touchpad or other input device of the first remote control 106. In at
least one embodiment, the user 110 provides the assignment input via the
first remote control 106. However, the input may alternatively be
provided via a front panel button or other input device of the
entertainment device 102 or via another remote control associated with
the entertainment device 102.

[0021] The entertainment device 102 processes the signal and the
assignment input to generate a message for the first remote control 106.
The message includes information utilized by the first remote control 106
to reproduce the signal responsive to actuation of the selected button to
generate a command for the presentation device 104. For example, the
message may reference a particular button of the first remote control 106
and an IR key code to be output by an IR emitter of the first remote
control 106. In at least one embodiment, the message includes information
for the first remote control 106 to reproduce an RF command signal
responsive to actuation of the selected button.

[0022] After completion of the learning process, the user 110 may utilize
the first remote control 106 to remotely control the presentation device
104. Thus, the first remote control 106 is configured to control both the
entertainment device 102 and the presentation device 104. For example,
upon actuation of a selected button, the first remote control 106 may
output an IR pattern compatible with the presentation device 104 and
associated with a particular requested command.

[0023] Because the reception and processing of the signal from the second
remote control 108 is performed by the entertainment device 102 rather
than first remote control 106, the complexity and cost of the first
remote control 106 is reduced. For example, the need for an IR receiver
in the first remote control 106 may be eliminated and/or instructions
operable by processing logic of the first remote control 106 may be
reduced. Further, if the entertainment device 102 includes multiple
associated first remote controls 106, then the signal receiving equipment
may be centrally located at the entertainment device 102 rather than
duplicated in each first remote control 106.

[0024]FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a first remote control of FIG.
1. FIG. 2 will be discussed in reference to the entertainment system 100
illustrated in FIG. 1. The remote control 106A includes user input
circuitry 202, a wireless RF transceiver 204, an IR emitter 206 and
control logic 208. Each of these components is discussed in greater
detail below. The remote control 106A may contain other devices not
described herein for the sake of brevity.

[0025] The user input circuitry 202 is operable to receive and/or process
user input from the user 110 (see FIG. 1). In at least one embodiment,
the user input circuitry 202 is a keypad including a set of buttons. The
user 110 may utilize the keypad to input channel numbers, control the
volume of the entertainment device 102, navigate menus, manipulate the
output of content by the entertainment device 102 and/or control other
functions of the entertainment device 102 and/or the presentation device
104.

[0026] The wireless transceiver 204 is operable to bi-directionally
communicate with the entertainment device 102 (see FIG. 1) and/or the
presentation device 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the wireless
transceiver 204 may utilize an RF communication link to communicate with
the entertainment device 102. The wireless transceiver 204 may utilize
any type of RF communication protocol to communicate with the
entertainment device, such as Bluetooth, WiFi, ZigBee and the like.

[0027] The wireless transceiver 204 is operable to transmit a key code
and/or command message corresponding with user input to the entertainment
device 102 (see FIG. 1). The wireless transceiver 204 is also operable to
exchange other data with the entertainment device 102, such as
operational status queries and responses. For example, the wireless
transceiver 204 may transmit queries to the entertainment device 102
responsive to a pre-defined schedule. The wireless transceiver 204 may
also receive IR database key codes, RF database key codes or firmware
updates from the entertainment device 102 responsive to the queries. Data
received from the entertainment device 102 by the wireless transceiver
204 is transferred to the control logic 208 for processing.

[0028] The IR emitter 206 is operable to output IR keycodes to the
presentation device 104 responsive to user input received by the user
input circuitry 202. In at least one embodiment, the IR emitter 206 is
operable to output a series of IR pulses in order to reproduce a signal
associated with a particular command of the presentation device 104 (see
FIG. 1). The remote control 106A may include memory, such as flash, for
storing information utilized by the IR emitter 206 to reproduce
particular signals for transmission to the presentation device 104. In
some embodiments, the remote control 106A may communicate with the
entertainment device 102 using a bi-directional IR communication link and
IR emitter 206 may take the form of an IR transceiver.

[0029] The control logic 208 is operable to control the operation of the
remote control 106A. The control logic 208 may be a single processing
device or a plurality of processing devices that cooperatively operate to
control the operation of the remote control 106A. The operation of the
control logic 208 may be controlled by instructions executable by the
control logic 208. Some examples of instructions are software, program
code, and firmware.

[0030] The control logic 208 is operable to generate control commands for
the entertainment device 102 responsive to the input provided to the user
input circuitry 202 by the user 110 (see FIG. 1). Such commands for the
entertainment device 102 are transmitted to the entertainment device 102
by the wireless transceiver 204. The control commands may be in the form
of key codes or other commands that are compatible with the entertainment
device 102.

[0031] The control logic 208 is also operable to process data received
from the entertainment device 102. For example, the control logic 208 may
receive IR key codes for the presentation device 104 from the
entertainment device 102. The IR key codes may include instructions for
reproducing the IR key codes and a particular button or other input
sequence associated with the command. The commands may be stored in the
remote control 106A by the control logic 208 for subsequent utilization.

[0032] The control logic 208 is operable to command the IR emitter 206 to
output control commands for the presentation device 104 responsive to the
user input circuitry 202 by the user 110. The control logic 208 is
operable to receive input from the user input circuitry 202, identify the
corresponding IR key code for the presentation device 104 and provide the
IR key code to the IR emitter 206 for output. In at least one embodiment,
the user input circuitry 202 may include a button or other input device
allowing the user 110 to transition between providing input for the
entertainment device 102 and the presentation device 104.

[0033]FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an entertainment device of FIG.
1. The entertainment device 102A will be described in reference to the
entertainment system 100 described in FIGS. 1 and 2. The entertainment
device 102A includes a first input interface 302, a second input
interface 304, a first output interface 306, a second output interface
308, a wireless transceiver 310, an IR receiver 312 and control logic
314. Each of these components is discussed in greater detail below. The
entertainment device 102A may include other components, elements or
devices not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

[0034] The first input interface 302 is operable to receive a first input
stream from a content source (not shown in FIG. 3). The first input
interface 302 may receive any type of audio, video or audio/video (A/V)
presentation stream in any kind of format. In at least one embodiment,
the first input interface 302 may comprise a television tuner, such as a
satellite television tuner, a cable television tuner, a terrestrial
television tuner or an internet television receiver that receives content
from a content provider.

[0035] The second input interface 304 is operable to receive a second
input stream from a content source (not shown in FIG. 3). The second
input interface 304 may be similar to the first input interface 302, and
receive similar type of content from a similar or identical content
source. For example, the first input interface 302 may comprise a first
satellite television tuner of the entertainment device 102A and the
second input interface 304 may comprise a second satellite television
tuner of the entertainment device 102A. The first and second input
interfaces 302 and 304 may also receive different types of content from
different content sources. For example, the first input interface 302 may
comprise a satellite television tuner and the second input interface 304
may comprise an over-the-air terrestrial television tuner.

[0036] The first output interface 306 is operable to output content for
presentation by a first presentation device (e.g., presentation device
104). More particularly, the first output interface 306 is operable to
output a first output stream based on the first input stream. Similarly,
the second output interface 308 is operable to output content for
presentation by a second presentation device based on the second input
stream. The first and second output interfaces 306 and 308 may output
content modulated into any format and protocol and may be communicatively
coupled with the presentation devices over any type of wireless or wired
communication medium.

[0037] The wireless transceiver 310 is operable to communicate with the
remote control 106A (see FIG. 2) to exchange data, such as command codes,
firmware updates, IR database codes, status queries/responses and the
like. In at least one embodiment, the wireless transceiver 310
communicates with the wireless transceiver 204 of the remote control 102A
(see FIG. 2) using a RF communication link, such as WiFi, Bluetooth,
ZigBee and the like. The wireless transceiver 310 may comprise any type
of RF transceiver. In at least one embodiment, the RF transceiver may be
operable to communicate with multiple types of devices using disparate
communication protocols. For example, the RF transceiver may be operable
to communicate using both the WiFi and Bluetooth protocols.

[0038] In at least one embodiment, the wireless transceiver 310 may be
operable to communicate with multiple remote controls 106A, such as a
remote control that controls the output of content by the first output
interface 306 and another remote control that controls the output of
content by the second output interface 308. The wireless transceiver 310
may utilize different channels, different identifiers, packet switching
and the like to differentiate communications between multiple remote
controls.

[0039] The IR receiver 312 is operable to receive IR signals from the
second remote control 108 (see FIG. 2). The IR receiver 312 receives an
IR signal, communicated from the second remote control 108 and transmits
the signal to the control logic 314 for further processing.

[0040] The control logic 314 is operable to control the operation of the
entertainment device 102A. The control logic 314 may be a single
processing device or a plurality of processing devices that cooperatively
operate to control the operation of the remote control 106A. The
operation of the entertainment device 102 may be controlled by
instructions executable by the control logic 314. Some examples of
instructions are software, program code, and firmware. Some examples of
instructions are software, program code, and firmware. Additionally, the
operation of particular functionalities of the control logic 314 is
controllable based on commands received from a remote control 106A (see
FIG. 2).

[0041] In at least one embodiment, the control logic 314 is operable for
receiving presentation content, e.g., video content from either the first
input interface 302 or the second input interface 304. The control logic
314 is further operable to control the output of the content received by
the first input interface 302 to the first output interface 306 as well
as the output of the content received by the second input interface 306
to the second output interface 308.

[0042] The control logic 314 may also receive or retrieve content from a
storage medium, such as an optical disk, internal or external hard drive,
a portable storage device (e.g., universal serial bus (USB) memory
sticks) and the like. The control logic 314 may also receive content from
external servers, such as video servers, that are communicatively coupled
to the entertainment device 102A over the internet or other type of data
network.

[0043] The control logic 314 may operate to perform various signal and
data processing functions such as demodulation, decoding, decryption and
the like on data signals received via any type of network interface, to
generate an appropriate format video stream for output to the
presentation device 104 (see FIG. 1). The control logic 314 may comprise
multiple components, such as a demodulator, an audio decoder, a video
decoder, a data decoder or a graphics processor to generate the video
stream.

[0044] Commands received from the remote control 106A are operable to
control the output of audio and video content by the control logic 314.
For example, the wireless transceiver 310 may receive a key code causing
control logic 314 to manipulate the output of the video content
responsive to the key code. The control logic 314 operates to output a
video stream for presentation by the presentation device 104 via the
first or second output interfaces 306 or 308. The video stream generated
by the control logic 314 may include menus, electronic programming guides
and the like that are navigable using commands received from the remote
control 106A.

[0045] The control logic 314 is also operable to perform a configuration
process, allowing any remote control 106A to learn commands for a remote
control 108 (see FIG. 1) of another device, such as the presentation
device 104. For example, the user 110 may initiate a configuration
process via input to the first remote control 106A or via other input
devices associated with the entertainment device 102A, such as front
panel controls of the entertainment device 102A.

[0046] The IR receiver 312 receives a signal from the second remote
control 108. In at least one embodiment, the signal is an IR key code
associated with a command for the presentation device 104 (see FIG. 1).
The control logic 314 receives and processes the signal and input
assigning the signal to a particular button or other input device of the
remote control 106A.

[0047] The control logic 314 may be operable to output a menu, via the
first output interface 306 and/or the second output interface 308, that
solicits the assignment input from the user 110. In at least one
embodiment, the user 110 provides the assignment input via the remote
control 106A. For example, the user 110 may press a particular button on
the remote control 106A to assign a command to the button. In some
embodiments, the user 110 may provide input via a front panel keypad,
button or other input device associated with the entertainment device
102A.

[0048] The control logic 314 processes the signal received from the second
remote control 108 and the assignment information and generates a message
for transmission to the first remote control 106A. The wireless
transceiver 310 then transmits the message to the first remote control
106A. The first remote control 106A receives the message and subsequently
utilizes the message to reproduce the signal responsive to actuation of a
selected button to generate the command for the presentation device 104.

[0049]FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of an entertainment device of
FIG. 1. The entertainment device 102B will be described in reference to
the entertainment system 100 described in FIGS. 1 and 2. The
entertainment device 102B includes a first input interface 302, a second
input interface 304, a first output interface 306, a second output
interface 308, a communication interface 410, control logic 314A and
network interface 416. Each of these components is discussed in greater
detail below. The entertainment device 102A may include other components,
elements or devices not illustrated for the sake of brevity. The
discussion of components common to FIG. 3 is omitted herein for the sake
of brevity.

[0050] In at least one embodiment, the communication interface 410 is
operable to communicate with first remote control 106 and the second
remote control 108. In at least one embodiment, the communication
interface 410 may comprise an RF wireless transceiver operable to
communicate with both remote controls 106 and 108. In another embodiment,
the communication interface 410 may comprise an IR transceiver operable
to communicate with both the first and second remote controls 106 and
108. The communication interface 410 may also include any combination of
IR and RF receivers, receivers and/or transmitters as appropriate to
communicate with the first and second remote controls 106 and 108. The
remote controls 106 and 108 may utilize the same communication protocol
or disparate communication protocols, mediums and the like.

[0051] The communication interface 410 receives a signal from the second
remote control 108. The signal is associated with a command for the
presentation device 104. In at least one embodiment, the communication
interface 410 further receives input from the user 110 assigning the
command to the first remote control 106. The communication interface
transmits the signal and the input to the control logic 314A for further
processing. In at least one embodiment, the control logic 314A may
receive the input directly from an associated input device, such as a
keypad of the entertainment device 102B.

[0052] If the signal comprises an RF command, then the control logic 314A
may be operable to identify the protocol associated with the signal. The
control logic 314A then determines whether the first remote control 106
is configured to communicate commands encoded in the protocol. If the
first remote control 106 is configured to communicate in the protocol,
then the control logic 314A is operable to transmit a message to the
first remote control 106, the message including information utilized by
the first remote control 106 to reproduce the command when communicating
with the presentation device 104. In at least one embodiment, the control
logic 314A may determine that the first remote control 106 is not
operable to communicate in the protocol of the command and may output a
message for presentation to the user 110 regarding the same.

[0053] The control logic 314A may be operable to receive input from the
user 110 identifying the presentation device 104. For example, the user
110 may provide input identifying the presentation device 104 as an XYZ
model television. This identification may be stored by the entertainment
device 104B to allow the user 110 to identify the commands for the
presentation device 104 at a later date, e.g., to assign the commands for
the presentation device 104 to a different remote control. In some
embodiments, the control logic 314A may transmit the identification
information, the signal and the selected button corresponding with the
command to an external server. For example, a television provider may
aggregate commands learned by television receivers of various users and
utilize the information to populate an IR code database available to its
subscribers. Thus, after the user 110 performs a learning process on
their entertainment device 102B to learn commands for a television, DVD
player, VCR or the like, another user may be able to load the commands
onto their remote control without performing the same learning process.

[0054] The network interface 416 is operable to communicate with the
external server (not shown) over a communication network. The network
interface 416 may be operable to communicate with the external server
over any type of wired or wireless communication network using any type
of communication protocol, network topology and the like. In at least one
embodiment, the network interface 416 communicates over an Ethernet
network. The control logic 314A is operable to initiate communication of
the aforementioned data to the external server 314A. In at least one
embodiment, the control logic 314A may also download information, from
the external server, via the network interface 416. For example, the
external server may provide the control logic 314A with updated IR
database codes, firmware updates and the like.

[0055]FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a process for learning commands
from a remote control. The process of FIG. 5 may be operable by any type
of controlled device, including television receivers. The process of FIG.
5 may not be all inclusive and may include other operations not
illustrated for the sake of brevity.

[0056] The process includes receiving a signal from a first remote control
at a first controlled device (operation 502). The signal is associated
with a command for a second controlled device. For example, the first
controlled device may comprise a satellite television receiver and the
second controlled device may comprise a VCR. In at least one embodiment,
the first remote control outputs an IR signal to remotely control the
second controlled device (such as a "play" command) and the first
controlled device includes an IR receiver to receive the IR signal from
the first remote control.

[0057] The process further includes receiving user input, at the first
controlled device, the user input assigning the command to a selected
button of a second remote control (operation 504). Operation 504 may
alternatively include assigning the user input to multiple combinations
of buttons of the second remote control or other types of input devices
of the second remote control. The user input may be provided by the first
remote control, the second remote control, another remote control or via
another input device associated with the first controlled device. The
operations of 502 and 504 can occur in any order; e.g. 504 can occur
either before or after 502.

[0058] The process further includes transmitting a message from the first
controlled device to the second remote control (operation 506). The
message includes information utilized by the second remote control to
reproduce the signal responsive to actuation of the selected button to
generate the command for the second controlled device. In at least one
embodiment, the first controlled device and the second remote control are
operable to exchange data over an RF communication link. Thus, the second
remote control may include an RF transceiver for exchanging data with the
entertainment device and may also include an IR emitter for transmitting
commands to the second controlled device.

[0059] The process may optionally include transmitting the message to
other remote controls associated with the first controlled device. For
example, the first controlled device may be a multiple room DVR, with
each room having an associated remote control. The DVR may receive input
from a third remote control, requesting transmission of the commands
utilized to control the second controlled device. Thus, the DVR may
initiate transmission of a second message to the third remote control,
the message including information utilized by the third remote control to
reproduce the signal responsive to actuation of the button, allowing the
third remote control to generate commands for the second controlled
device.

[0060] In at least one embodiment, a user may be able to assign the
command to a different button or command of the third remote control. For
example, the DVR may include a menu displaying the original assignment of
the commands for the second controlled device to the first remote control
and may allow the user to swap the assignment of the commands on the
third remote control. Thus, the first and third remote controls may be
operable to output the same signal to control the second controlled
device responsive to actuation of different buttons on each remote
control.

[0061] Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope of
the invention is not limited to those specific embodiments. The scope of
the invention is defined by the following claims and any equivalents
therein.